Smoked Peach Bourbon Pork Belly Bites

Few recipes capture the essence of barbecue indulgence quite like smoked pork belly bites. This dish takes the rich, melt-in-your-mouth decadence of pork belly and transforms it into smoky, caramelized nuggets of BBQ candy. Coated in Smoky Pecan Rub by The Spice Lab and glazed with Croix Valley Foundry Series Sweet Peach BBQ Sauce from our "Backyard BBQ Bliss" box, these bites hit the sweet spot between savory, smoky, and sweet with just the right kick of bourbon. The result is a crowd-pleasing dish that works equally well as a backyard appetizer, game-day snack, or indulgent side dish.

What makes these pork belly bites so addictive is the layering of flavor throughout the cook. The Smoky Pecan Rub lays down a nutty, aromatic base that pairs beautifully with rendered pork fat, while the slow smoking process builds a deep bark that locks in flavor. Halfway through, the bites are bathed in butter, brown sugar, honey, and peach BBQ sauce—creating a luscious caramelization that makes every cube glisten. A splash of bourbon adds a warm, oaky complexity that takes this recipe from great to unforgettable.

The final stage is where the magic happens: brushing the bites with more peach BBQ sauce and returning them to the smoker for a sticky-sweet glaze. After a short rest, you’re rewarded with perfectly tender pork belly bites that jiggle when you pick them up and deliver an explosion of flavor when you take a bite. Pair them with cold beer, serve them as an appetizer for a cookout, or follow the pro tip and tuck them into tortillas with a drizzle of Chile Lime Aioli for next-level tacos. However you serve them, these smoked peach bourbon pork belly bites are guaranteed to steal the show at your next barbecue.

Want another sweet-heat take on pork belly? Our Boss of Burnt Ends box pairs Palisade Peach BBQ Rub with Lane's Pineapple Chipotle glaze.

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Smoker

Smoked Peach Bourbon Pork Belly Bites

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Servings

6-8

Prep Time

20 minutes

Cook Time

4-5 hours

Get ready for one of the best bites in BBQ. Rich pork belly gets a smoky, caramelized edge with layers of pecan rub and a sweet peach bourbon glaze that’s barbecue candy at its best.

Ingredients

• 3-4 Tbsp Smoky Pecan Rub by The Spice Lab
• 1/2 cup Croix Valley Foundry Series Sweet Peach BBQ Sauce
• 3-4 lbs Pork Belly, skin removed and cut into 1.5” cubes
• 1 Tbsp Honey
• 2 Tbsp Brown Sugar
• 4 Tbsp Unsalted Butter, cubed
• 2 Tbsp Bourbon (optional but recommended)

Directions

1. Prep the pork belly: Cut pork belly into evenly sized cubes and place in a large bowl or tray. Generously coat with Smoky Pecan Rub by The Spice Lab on all sides. Let sit at room temperature while the smoker preheats.

2. Preheat your smoker to 250°F using fruit wood (apple, pecan or cherry work well). Place the pork belly cubes directly on the smoker grate or on a wire rack. Smoke uncovered for 2–2.5 hours until the edges are developing a bark and the fat is rendering.

3. After developing a nice bark, transfer the pork belly bites to an aluminum pan or wrap tightly in heavy-duty foil. Add the butter cubes, a generous drizzle of Croix Valley Foundry Series Sweet Peach BBQ Sauce, bourbon, honey and brown sugar. Seal the pan or foil and return to the smoker for another 1.5–2 hours, until the bites are tender and jiggly.

4. Carefully unwrap the pork bites. Drain excess fat if needed. Brush or toss the bites in more Croix Valley Foundry Series Sweet Peach BBQ Sauce. Place back on the smoker uncovered for 20–30 minutes to let the glaze set and caramelize.

5. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving. These are perfect as an appetizer or indulgent BBQ side!